Collapsible bookstand



Aug. 11, 1953 D. F. SHEA 2,648,155

COLLAPSIBLE BOOKSTAND Filed Aug. 9, 1951 f INVENTOR.

.De/Az F J/xea Patented Aug. 11.195?

ED STATES I 2,648,155

" "COLLAPSIBLE BO'OKSIAND Della-EeShea, Los:Ang-.eles,;:0alif. +Application August 9, 1951,,Se'rial No. 2 41;o45

(cum-e80) 2 Claims.

This inventionwelates' to a' collapsible book standand "it is arr-objector theinvention tp prowide an article of this-kind that-oan be-rea-dily compacted to occupy a minimum of space when not in use.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind that can be effectively supported in position for use and wherein means are provided to hold the leaves of a book in open position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved collapsible book stand whereby certain advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a book stand constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and in adjustment for use, the bands for use with the leaves of a book being shown in full lines as if engaged over the leaves to hold the same in open positions, the dotted lines indicating such bands when not in use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 and Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, B denotes a back frame of desired dimensions and comprising a straight top bar I terminating in the side bars 2 disposed in the same direction and substantially in parallelism. The lower or free end portions of the side bars 2 are connected by the interposed spacer bar 4 and the central portions of the bars I and 4 are connected by the interposed bar 5.

The lower extremities of the end bars 2 are provided with outstanding lugs 6 substantially perpendicular thereto and to each of which is pivotally connected by a rivet I or the like a lug 8 extending inwardly from and substantially at right angles to the lower extremity of a side bar 9 of a bottom rest or frame R. The bar 9 is in continuation of a top bar III. The frame or rest R can be readily swung inwardly to the back frame B and closely adjacent thereto when the device is compacted and said frame or rest R. is maintained in extended or working position by of Figure 1;

the bands I;I. Wheninextended position for use=the rest or frame "R is disposed on an upward and outward incline with respect -=to-'-the'--ba'ck frame B as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Each of the bands I I has an end portion secured as at I2 to a collar I3, preferably of plastic, snugly but slidably mounted on the bar I. The opposite end of the band I I carries a hook member I4 for engagement at will with the bar I0 of the rest or frame R.

The bands II are elastic so that they can be readily disposed over the pages of an open back supported by the rest or frame F and automatically maintain close contact therewith.

The collars I4 may be readily slid along the bar I to assure proper positioning of the bands I I with respect to the book.

Freely engaged with the side bars 2 of the back frame B are the collars I5 extending outwardly from the supporting plates P of duplicate design and dimensions. The bottom or contacting edge a of each of the plates P is on such an angle with respect to the associated bar 2 as required to support the back frame B on a desired rearward tilt.

Tightly surrounding the central portion of the top bar I of the frame F is an elongated split sleeve I6, the longitudinal margins of which being continued by the overlying and outstanding flanges I1 maintained in close contact by the rivets I8 at opposite sides of the bar 5 of the frame F. The flanges I1 provide the means for holding the upper portion of the bar 5 and which upper portion is flattened as at I9 (Figure 2) to snugly fit within a downwardly open pocket 20 formed by outwardly pressing the central portion of one of the flanges II.

Each of the rivets I8 is also disposedthrough an eye 2I provided at one extremity of an elongated rod 22. This rod can be readily swung inwardly within the field of the frame F when not in use or swung outwardly above the frame F as desired to provide additional support for magazines and the like when required by the necessities of practice.

While the invention is not to be limited in any way as to dimension, it is preferred that the device he of a length less than the width of the general run of books.

Interposed between and secured to the lower end portions of the side posts 9 of the frame F is a spacer bar 23.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a collapsible book stand con- 3 structed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible book stand, an open elongated rectangular main frame, a bar connecting the upper and lower sides of said frame at its center, substantially triangular supports each having a side edge thereof hingedly connected with the vertical end portions of said frame to hold the latter in a rearwardly inclined position when they are swung into substantially right angular relation with respect to the back of the frame, a second narrower frame of equal length to that of said main frame hingedly connected at the corners of one of its sides to the corners at the lower side of the main frame, and spaced strap members extending between and connecting the top sides of said frames together in a manner to support said second frame in a forwardly and upwardly inclined position relatively to said main frame, said strap members being slidably adjustable relatively to each other and to said frames.

2. The book stand as defined in claim 1, with a split sleeve straddled over the center of the upper side of said main frame and the upper end of said bar, rivets engaged through the split portions of said sleeve to clamp the latter in position, and an arm pivotally connected with each of said rivets to be swung to positions to lend support to reading 10 matter of varying sizes.

DELLA F. SHEA.

15 Number Name Date 1,396,700 Greenwood Nov. 8, 1921 2,388,771 Thompson Nov. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 Number Country Date 60,482 Switzerland Dec. 6, 1912 652,333 France Oct. 22, 1928 660,903 France Feb. 26, 1929 

